What exactly qualifies as a "computer"? There are many different ways to answer that question. Try this:
Use the web, and try to identify the world's FIRST computer
Report your findings to the class
(Do this now)
There are many different ways to interpret the question - are we looking at:
Mechanical computers
Analogue computers
Digital Computers
Military Computers
Personal Computers
Since we're learning to use the computers in our classroom, we will focus on modern digital, personal computer systems.
Computer Systems
A "SYSTEM" a collection of things that somehow work together. A "Computer System" is a combination of HARDWARE and SOFTWARE designed to manipulate information.
Computer02.jpg
1. HARDWARE - Physical "components" that have been designed to work together. Hardware components are specificaaly designed to:
Input Information
Store Information
Process Information
Output Information
2. SOFTWARE - Digital information that directs the operation of the hardware. Software can be stored on a "physical medium", but at it's purest, it is just 1's and 0's in meaningful, coded combinations. Three categories of software would include:
Applications
Documents
Data
Computer Applications
A computer application is a piece of software that controls the components of a computer, and gives it the ability to perform a specific function. For example:
Word Processing
Spreadsheets
Graphic Editing
Web Browsing
Animation
Video Editing
Games
Are all typical examples of software that can be installed in a computer system to give it a greater range of functions.
Applications are typically launched by double clicking a file that has an "EXE" file extension
Each different will likely output files in their own "languages", and they may not be compatible with each other.
Commercial Applications can cost hundreds of dollars
Shareware Applications can be relatively inexpensive, but of limited quality or ability
"Open Source" Applications are typically free, and are as good as the people who volunteer to develop them.
Exercise
Locate the OPENOFFICE applications on the PCAPPS server, and try to figure out what each of the programs is used for. Create and store a document with each of the "APPS"
File Formats
Applications that store your work in files each use their own "language". These are referred to as "File Formats". They may be specific to one particular application, or they may be a common standard between many different applications.
Extension
File Format (Application)
.doc
Microsoft Word (word processing)
.jpg
Jpeg (bitmap image)
.xls
Microsoft Excel (spreadsheet)
.htm
Hypertext Markup (webpages)
File Extensions
Typically, a file extension is the last three letters of a filename found after a period.
Vocabulary
Computer
Hardware
Software
Application
Document
Component
System
Chip
Motherboard
CPU
The "Central Processing Unit"
Analogy: Like the "Brain" of the computer system; Like the "Engine" of a car - it provides the basic information processing power of the computer system.
Features and Metrics: Cache (ie. 8MB L2), Clockspeed (ie. 2.66GHz); Bus (1066FSB)
RAM
ROM
Hard Drive
Optical Drive
Graphics Card
Power Supply
COMPUTER VOCAB EXERCISE
Create an ODT document called [LastnameFirstname]_Computer Vocabulary.odt
Put a 32 point title "Computer Vocabulary" at the top of the document Center aligned
Create a "Hanging Indent" format, and define each of the terms in the Vocabulary list above. Find a GOOD, but small graphic for each term, and align it to the right side of each definition (Use TEXT WRAP if needed to make it look good)
Find the BEST definitions you can from the resources we've identified so far. Don't just "Cut and paste" - try to find MEANINGFUL, efficient definitions. If appropriate, include:
COMPUTER THEORY
What is a Computer?
What exactly qualifies as a "computer"? There are many different ways to answer that question. Try this:- Use the web, and try to identify the world's FIRST computer
- Report your findings to the class
(Do this now)There are many different ways to interpret the question - are we looking at:
Since we're learning to use the computers in our classroom, we will focus on modern digital, personal computer systems.
Computer Systems
A "SYSTEM" a collection of things that somehow work together. A "Computer System" is a combination of HARDWARE and SOFTWARE designed to manipulate information.1. HARDWARE - Physical "components" that have been designed to work together. Hardware components are specificaaly designed to:
2. SOFTWARE - Digital information that directs the operation of the hardware. Software can be stored on a "physical medium", but at it's purest, it is just 1's and 0's in meaningful, coded combinations. Three categories of software would include:
Computer Applications
A computer application is a piece of software that controls the components of a computer, and gives it the ability to perform a specific function. For example:
Are all typical examples of software that can be installed in a computer system to give it a greater range of functions.
File Formats
Applications that store your work in files each use their own "language". These are referred to as "File Formats". They may be specific to one particular application, or they may be a common standard between many different applications.File Extensions
Typically, a file extension is the last three letters of a filename found after a period.Vocabulary